Humboldt Bay Trail

Overview

The Humboldt Bay Trail is a network of paved paths connecting the communities around Humboldt Bay. Efforts are actively underway to complete a continuous 14-mile, non-motorized trail from central Arcata to the southern end of Eureka. This trail will increase road safety, provide a low-cost travel alternative, expand recreational opportunities, improve community livability, and promote active, healthy transportation. The trail is being constructed in phases by the cities of Eureka and Arcata and Humboldt County, with support from Caltrans, the North Coast Railroad Authority, California Coastal Conservancy, and many other entities. Construction funding is secured for all but the final four miles of the trail, a section called the “Humboldt Bay Trail South” Project, which extends from the Target store near Eureka Slough to the Bracut Industrial Park near Bayside Cutoff.

Map of Projects in Development (Click on the image below for a larger view)

Partnerships For Trails

Humboldt County is leading the development of the Humboldt Bay Trail South segment which will provide the interconnecting link between Eureka’s and Arcata’s trail projects.

The County was allocated funds in 2015 through the State Transportation Improvement Program to complete preliminary engineering, environmental studies, and permitting and to develop engineering plans and specifications for the Bay Trail South project. Right-of-way, permits, wetland mitigation, and funding for construction still need to be secured. Preliminary cost estimates for construction range from $14 to $16 million. The goal is to have engineering plans, funding and permits in place to initiate construction by 2021.

The Arcata City Trail extends from Sunset Avenue (near the Larson Park and the Arcata Skate Park) south around Arcata High School and along L Street to Samoa Boulevard, for a total length of 1.5 miles. Humboldt Bay Trail North has been completed. The project involved construction of approximately 3.0 miles of a Class I, ADA accessible, non-motorized multi-use trail, that runs from the terminus of the Arcata Rails with Trail at State Route 255, through the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. The trail continues south along the North Coast Railroad Authority’s railroad to the south of Bayside Cutoff along Humboldt Bay.

The City of Eureka has completed the construction of the Eureka Waterfront trail. Phase A, from Truesdale to Del Norte was completed in 2016, and construction of phases B and C was completed in 2017. These projects fill the gaps between the Hikshari’ Trail in south Eureka, the existing promenade boardwalk in Old Town, the existing shoreline trail in Halvorson Park, and the existing trail near the Target store. The installation of trail side benches and interpretive displays will be completed by the fall of 2018. There is a small gap in the trail between F and J Streets which will be connected no later than 2020 as a part of the Waterfront Drive Connection project.

Humboldt Bay Trail Updates

State Recommends Funding for Completion of Humboldt Bay Trail

The project to complete the 4-mile gap in the Humboldt Bay Trail between Eureka and Arcata is on the list of projects recommended for funding through the state’s 2019 Active Transportation Program.

The Active Transportation Program is a competitive grant program that funds bicycle and pedestrian improvements throughout California. The list of recommended projects was released by California Transportation Commission staff on Dec. 28 and is expected to be formally approved by the Commission at its Jan. 31 meeting. Humboldt County’s “Humboldt Bay Trail South” project was tied for the fifth-highest score in the category of projects that competed on a statewide basis. The recommended funding amount is $13.3 million.

The Humboldt Bay Trail Fund was established at the Humboldt Area Foundation to provide a mechanism for private donors to assist in the continued development of the Humboldt Bay Trail by focusing on the critical need for trail maintenance funds. The fund will give priority to on-going emergency trail maintenance with emphasis on supporting volunteer efforts. During the months of October and November 2018, Wildberries Marketplace will match all donations to the Humboldt Bay Trail Fund. Be a part of this matching challenge and double your donation. Make an online donation!

KCET – Connecting Communities on the Humboldt Bay Trail

The latest episode of KCET's California Coastal Trail series highlights the Humboldt Bay Trail and the broad community support for completing the trail. Check out this inspiring segment Opens a New Window. .

Funding to Complete the Final Four-mile Gap

In July 2018, Humboldt County applied to the state's Active Transportation Fund for $13.3 million of funding to complete the four-mile gap in the Humboldt Bay Trail between Arcata and Eureka. The total construction cost (including $2.5 million for wetland mitigation) is $18.6 million. The proposed cost-share for the project is $2 million from Coastal Conservancy and $3.3 million from Caltrans District 1. A funding decision should be made late October or November 2018.

Watch the video Opens a New Window. produced by RCAA highlighting plans and benefits of completing the trail. YouTube VideoYouTube Video

California Environmental Quality Act Document Adopted

On Tuesday, July 31, 2018, Humboldt County Board of Supervisors adopted the proposed initial study and mitigated negative declaration prepared for the Humboldt Bay Trail South project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Humboldt County Public Works prepared the Initial Study and Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Opens a New Window. to analyze potentially significant environmental impacts and identify appropriate mitigation measures. The project approved by the Board includes removal of the northern group of eucalyptus trees. To provide additional information regarding the safety hazards of the eucalyptus trees, the Board asked Public Works to hire two certified arborists to perform independent risk assessments. The Board is expected to receive a report regarding the results of the risk assessments in late October or early November 2018.